| | | | Do's and don'ts for Donald in Arizona | | President Donald Trump is in Arizona today, a visit highlighted by a campaign rally in Phoenix set to happen around 10 p.m. ET.
Given Trump's past over-the-top performances at these sort of campaign rallies and his call for unity and love in his Afghanistan speech on Monday night, the political world will be watching closely to see what he says and does.
To that end, I came up with a few "do's" and "don'ts" for the President tonight. (I also wrote up seven things Trump shouldn't talk about -- but probably will anyway.)
DO: Talk about Afghanistan
While not all of Trump's base will love his decision to add more troops to the region, most conservatives remain hawkish on foreign policy -- particularly as it relates to fighting terrorism. His speech on Monday was a good one even if it was light on specifics. Hammering home the idea that he is focused on killing terrorists rather than nation-building is a political winner.
DON'T: Talk about Charlottesville
Trump's back and forth comments on the racial violence caused in Virginia by white supremacists and neo-Nazis brought about the lowest point of his presidency last week. His speech on Monday was an attempt -- in the broadest possible terms and without mentioning Charlottesville by name -- to move on. He'd do well to avoid the topic entirely tonight.
DO: Talk about the stock market
The stock market is up near its record high again. And it crested 22,000 earlier this month for the first time. For most people the strength of the stock market is a leading indicator of the strength of the economy. And Trump promised to make the economy stronger when he was elected president. He can claim promise made, promise kept.
DON'T: Talk about the Cleveland Browns
Back in March at a campaign rally -- stop me if you've heard this before -- Trump mentioned former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick's decision to sit during the national anthem, and the fact that no team had signed him for the 2017-2018 NFL season. Last night, a large group of Browns knelt during the anthem before their preseason game against the New York Giants. Trump may be tempted to bash that group. He should not do that.
DO: Stick to the script
DON'T: Freelance
Trump's not going to do this. Obvi. But, if he wanted to keep the momentum he began to build on Monday, he would.
-- Chris | | SPEAKING OF THE AZ RALLY... | | | CNN's Eric Bradner is covering it from the ground. Saba will be covering protests outside. Follow them on Twitter and keep refreshing CNN's website for live updates. Trump's rally begins at 10 p.m. ET. | | For more than seven months, the Washington Post has been tracking President Donald Trump's false or misleading claims. The current tally is 1,057.
Here are some of WaPo's takeaways as of Tuesday: - "At the President's current pace, he averages nearly five claims a day."
- "More than 30 of the President's misleading statements have been repeated three or more times."
- "Trump's most repeated claim, uttered 50 times, was some variation of the statement that the Affordable Care Act is dying and 'essentially dead.'"
- "Forty-two times, he has touted that he secured business investments and job announcements that had been previously announced and could easily be found with a Google search."
- "Some of Trump's favorite claims are simply odd. Eleven times, he has said that the United States has already spent $6 trillion on 'Middle East wars,' money that could have been used instead on building roads in the United States."
| | German police seized around 5,000 ecstasy tablets shaped like the head of President Donald Trump, CNN reported Tuesday.
Yep. | | | The theme song to "Raising Arizona," in honor of Trump's rally in Phoenix on Tuesday evening. | |  | | Screengrab/Breitbart website | | CNN's Eli Watkins pointed out this swag available on Breitbart's online store. If you're in the market for a fidget spinner and miss Steve Bannon, these are apparently being sold for $21.46 apiece.
"Leftists need comfort at times like these," reads the description. "Gift them this pacifying item that will give them something to do in between pulling down monuments. Or keep one for yourself!" | | Vice President Mike Pence led the administration's messaging blitz the morning after President Trump outlined a new US military strategy in Afghanistan that called for more troops and a longer US commitment. Pence appeared on the "Today" show and "Fox & Friends," and also wrote an op-ed for USA Today touting the new policy.
CNN's David Wright pulled five of the most interesting lines:
1. On why the new strategy works: "Bureaucrats don't win battles; our brave men and women in uniform do, and they deserve the flexibility they need to fight and win every time."
2. On the Obama administration: "America must prevent terrorists from regaining a foothold in Afghanistan — the country from where al Qaeda, aided by the Taliban, planned and directed the attacks on September 11, 2001. Yet the previous administration publicly placed an arbitrary end date on military operations in Afghanistan, enabling the Taliban to bide its time and begin a renewed campaign to reconquer its lost territory. We need only look at Iraq, and the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria following the last administration's withdrawal of US forces, to see where this path leads."
3. On overall goals in Afghanistan: "Our strategy will integrate all instruments of American power — diplomatic and economic as well as military — to move toward a political settlement in Afghanistan that protects our interests. Achieving this goal requires that both the Afghan authorities and the Taliban demonstrate political will to participate in a meaningful dialogue. This means we must defeat the Taliban in the field and support the Afghan government. ... To be clear: America's goal in Afghanistan is not to impose democracy or a strong central government that runs counter to Afghanistan's tradition of local autonomy. Nonetheless, we insist that the Afghan government reduce corruption, implement reforms and continue to strengthen its security forces, which have repeatedly proved their courage and resolve on the field of battle."
4. On India: "India has made important contributions towards Afghanistan's stability and security, and India has also pledged critical support to Afghanistan's development needs," Pence wrote. "America will continue to work closely with New Delhi on these issues."
5. On Pakistan: "Pakistan too often turns a blind eye to the cancer of terrorism, and in many cases, Pakistan has contributed to the growth of terrorist groups. ... "Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much more to lose by supporting terrorists. The President has put them on notice." | |  | | Happy 63rd wedding anniversary to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who tweeted about Mrs. Grassley on Tuesday. | | CH-CH-CHANGIN' CALIFORNIA'S CONSTITUTION? | | Thomas Palzer, a California Republican who is eyeing a potential 2018 run against Sen. Dianne Feinstein, wants the Golden State to change its top-two primary system.
Per the Sacramento Bee: "'There's no question more liberal candidates have been more successful,' said Thomas Palzer, who is pushing an initiative for the November 2018 ballot to repeal a clause in the California Constitution that says regardless of party, the top two vote-getters in a primary election advance to a November runoff. 'To me, that's not representative government.' "Voters adopted the top-two primary system in 2010 after a political deal involving former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and then-state Sen. Abel Maldonado put it on the ballot. It was aimed at encouraging more competitive races and seen as a way to help more moderate candidates get elected." | | | Los Angeles Times' reporter Melissa Etehad wrote an explainer about Britain's Big Ben, and why it's going to stay (mostly) silent for at least four years. From the article:
"On Monday, Big Ben rang its bell at noon for the last time until 2021. For four years, its bells will fall (mostly) silent while workers renovate the Elizabeth Tower, which houses the Big Ben bell and the Great Clock. "Only on special occasions, such as New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday — a day to honor those who fought in the two world wars — will its bells ring. "The Big Ben bells will go on a four-year hiatus to allow crews to safely operate during the renovation project, primarily aimed at maintaining the Elizabeth Tower and "safeguard it for future generations." "The project is estimated to cost about $37 million." | | | Searching for a newsletter your friends and family will like? Encourage them to subscribe to The Point. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | Get the Nightcap, a comprehensive summary of the most important political news, delivered to your inbox daily. | | | | | |
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